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Cantonese Dim SumEast Village
Tim Ho Wan on Fourth Avenue runs the New York City branch of the Hong Kong dim sum house, the cheapest Michelin-starred restaurant in the world.
OrderBaked BBQ pork buns, three to an order, ordered the moment you sit down.
TipOff-peak hours are 14:30-17:00 weekdays; weekend lunch hits a 45-minute wait by 12:30.
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ChineseChinatown
Joe's Shanghai on Bowery has popularised the soup dumpling in Manhattan's Chinatown in New York City since 1997. Priced at $$. Kitchen leans chinese.
OrderPork-and-crab xiao long bao, eight per basket.
TipNo reservations; expect 30 minutes at peak weekend lunch. Bring cash to speed up the tab.
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RussianBrighton Beach
Tatiana Cafe on the Brighton Beach boardwalk has run Russian-Ukrainian family meals in New York City since 1990. Borscht, pelmeni, blini, ocean-front tables.
OrderPelmeni in butter, with sour cream on the side.
TipLive music on weekend evenings runs late. Order from the Russian menu if Cyrillic is doable; the kitchen makes more there.
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Soul FoodHarlem
Sylvia Woods's Harlem soul-food restaurant has served fried chicken, collards and yams in New York City since 1962. Kitchen leans soul food.
OrderSmothered chicken, candied yams, cornbread.
TipSunday brunch books up two weeks in advance. Weeknight dinner is the easy seat for the same menu.
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Soul FoodHarlem
Marcus Samuelsson's Lenox Avenue Harlem room runs an Afro-Swedish-Southern hybrid menu in New York City. Priced at $$$. Kitchen leans soul food.
OrderYard bird fried chicken with mac and greens.
TipSunday brunch is the room's big draw; bookings essential. Bar walk-ins for a quick supper around 18:00.
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Soul FoodHarlem
Amy Ruth's on West 116th Street has served chicken and waffles in Harlem, New York City since 1998. Order the the reverend al sharpton: chicken and waffles.
OrderThe Reverend Al Sharpton: chicken and waffles.
TipWeekend brunch is the destination; weeknight dinner serves the same plate without the wait.